Designation: D 5994 – 98
Standard Test Method for
Measuring Core Thickness of Textured Geomembrane1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5994; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers a procedure to measure the core
thickness of textured geomembranes.
1.2 This test method does not provide thickness values for
geomembranes under variable normal stresses.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics for Testing2
D 4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics2
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 core thickness, n—the average thickness of a textured
geomembrane as measured using this particular test method.
3.1.2 geomembrane, n—an essentially impermeable geo-
synthetic composed of one or more synthetic sheets. (D 4439)
3.1.3 thickness gage points, n—the tips of a thickness gage
which contact the upper and lower geomembrane surfaces, and
between which the thickness is measured.
3.1.4 pressure, n—the force or load per unit area.
3.1.5 textured geomembrane, n—a geomembrane having
one or both surfaces intentionally manufactured with projec-
tions or indentations, most commonly for the purpose of
providing increased shear strength against adjacent materials.
3.1.6 thickness, n—the perpendicular distance between one
surface and its opposite.
3.1.7 For definitions of other terms relating to geomem-
branes used in this test method, refer to the Terminology
D 4439.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The core thickness of a textured geomembrane is
calculated as the average value of measurements taken on
replicate specimens of the sample under investigation. The
thickness of each specimen is measured at a specific location as
the distance between two gage points. The opposing thickness
gage points are manufactured to a defined geometry, with a
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-35 on
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomem-
branes.
Current edition approved May 10, 1998. Published January 1999. Last previous
edition D 5994 – 96
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
specified force of 0.56 6 0.05 N (2.0 6 0.2 oz) applied along
their axis.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Thickness is one of the basic index properties used to
control and track the quality of many geomembranes. Addi-
tionally, many mechanical properties (for example, tensile
yield strength, puncture strength, etc.) can be related to core
thickness. Core thickness values may also be required in
calculation of some parameters such as diffusion coefficients or
tensile stresses.
5.2 The measured core thickness of geomembranes may
vary considerably depending on the pressure applied to the
specimen during measurement. To reduce variation in measure-
ments and the chance of unrealistically low values due to
excessively high pressures, a specific gage point geometry and
applied force are prescribed in this test method.
5.3 The test method is applicable to all commonly available
textured geomembranes that are deployed as manufactured
geomembrane sheets.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Thickness Gage—The thickness gage shall be of the
dead-weight type capable of measuring to an accuracy of at
least 60.01 mm (0.0004 in.). The gage shall be constructed to
permit application of a specific force of 0.56 6 0.05 N
(2.0 6 0.2 oz). The gage shall have a base point (or anvil) and
a free-moving presser point whose axes are aligned to each
other.
NOTE 1—The geomembrane specimen being measured should be main-
tained perpendicular to the axes of the opposing gage points. An
underlying support system may be necessary to support large test
specimens.
6.2 Thickness Gage Points—The gage points shall be made
of hardened steel. The points shall be tapered at an angle of
60 6 2° to the horizontal with the tip rounded to a radius of
0.8 6 0.1 mm (0.031 6 0.004 in.). Fig. 1 shows the critical
dimensions.
NOTE 2—The gage and points can be calibrated using standard thick-
ness blocks. Frequent use and rough use of the gage can dull the gage
points and cause misalignment, both of which will cause incorrect
readings. These problems can be detected by frequent calibration.
 D 5994
FIG. 1 Dead Weight Thickness Measurement Device for Textured Geomembranes
7. Sampling
7.1 Sample—For the sample, take a full width sample of
sufficient length so that the requirements of 7.2 through 7.4.2
can be met. Exclude the inner and outer wraps of the roll or any
material not representative of the sample (see Note 1).
7.2 Remove test specimens from the sample in a randomly
distributed pattern across the width. The thickness readings
must include measurements within 15 cm (6 in.) of both edges
of the geomembrane roll.
7.3 Test Specimens—From each unit in the sample, remove
the specimens so that the edge of the specimen will extend
beyond the edge of the gage points by 10 mm (0.4 in.) in all
directions. It is recommended to use circular test specimens of
approximately 75 mm (3 in.) diameter.
7.4 Number of Specimens—Unless otherwise agreed upon,
as when provided in an applicable material specification, take
a number of test specimens per sample such that the user may
expect, at the 95 % probability level, that the test result is not
more than 5 % of the average above or below the true average
of the sample. Determine the number of specimens per sample
as follows:
7.4.1 Reliable Estimate of v—When there is a reliable
estimate of v based upon extensive sample records for similar
materials tested in the user’s laboratory as directed in the
method, calculate the required number of specimens as fol-
lows:
n 5 ~tv/A!2 (1)
where:
n 5 number of test specimens (rounded upward to a whole
number),
2
t 5 the value of Student’s “t” for one-sided limits (see
Table 1 in Test Method D 4354), a 95 % probability
level, and the degrees of freedom associated with the
estimate of v,
v 5 reliable estimate of the coefficient of variation of
individual observations on similar materials in the
user’s laboratory under conditions of single-operation
precision, %, and
A 5 5 % of the average, the value of the allowable varia-
tion.
7.4.2 No Reliable Estimate of v—When there is no reliable
estimate of v for the user’s laboratory, Eq 1 should not be used
directly. Instead, specify the fixed number ten of specimens.
The number of specimens is calculated using v 5 9.5 % of the
average. These values for v are somewhat larger than usually
found in practice. When a reliable estimate of v for the user’s
laboratory becomes available, Eq 1 will usually require fewer
than the fixed number of specimens.
8. Conditioning
8.1 Bring the specimens to a temperature equilibrium of
21 6 2°C (70 6 4°F) and a relative humidity of 60 6 10 %.
9. Procedure
9.1 Test the conditioned specimens in the standard labora-
tory atmosphere specified in 8.1.
9.2 With the specified force applied to the presser point on
the base point (that is, no specimen present), zero the measur-
ing scale or record the initial non-zero reading.
9.3 Lift the presser point and insert the test specimen. While
allowing the presser point to come slowly into contact with the
test specimen, adjust the test specimen to locate the gage points
 D 5994
in the “low spots” or “valleys,” in between the projections, or
into the indentations, of the textured surface(s) to obtain the
local minimum thickness reading. Repeat the above so that a
total of three measurement readings are obtained for each
specimen. Record only the lowest value of the three readings to
the nearest 0.025 mm or 0.001 in. as the thickness for that
specimen.
9.4 Allow the full dead weight pressure to be applied for 5
s, and record the thickness value to the accuracy of the gage.
9.5 Repeat the method for each of the remaining specimens.
10. Calculation
10.1 Calculate the average thickness of the sample from the
individual specimen results and record to the nearest 0.025 mm
or 0.001 in.
11.1.4 Dimensions of the sample and test specimens (if
different than this standard).
11.1.5 Loading time interval.
11.1.6 Number of specimens.
11.1.7 Report the individual specimen thickness measure-
ments to the nearest 0.025 mm or 0.001 in.
11.1.8 Report the average thickness of the individual mea-
surements to the nearest 0.025 mm or 0.001 in.
11.1.9 Coefficient of variation of the individual measure-
ments of the sample, in percent (optional).
11.1.10 Any unusual or out-of-standard conditions or obser-
vations made during the tests.
12. Precision and Bias

11. Report 12.1 Precision—The precision of this test method procedure

is being established.
11.1 Report the following information for the average
12.2 Bias—The procedure in this test method has no bias
thickness:
because the value of average thickness can be defined only in
11.1.1 Project, type of geomembrane tested, and method of
terms of this test method.
sampling.
11.1.2 Name or description of thickness apparatus used for
testing. 13. Keywords
11.1.3 Dimensions of the gage points (if different than this 13.1 geosynthetics; geomembrane; textured geomembrane;
standard). thickness

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